July 11: Harley Girl For a Day
I didn’t think I’d be getting on the back of a Harley with a handsome man anytime soon. But when scrolling for activities in Broome, my eye caught on a trike tour offered by a local promising pillion riders a scenic and historical excursion on his Oz Trike Harley Hybrid Springer 2000cc twin carb machine. It was a deal I couldn’t refuse!
Opting to use Yogi’s half helmet along with my own goggles, I clambered aboard his machine, chuckling as I fastened my seatbelt behind him before we set off to tour the historic downtown area. Passing the world’s oldest movie theater, the pearl district, and a historic fishing jetty, Yogi regaled me with stories of the past.
From there he took me on a series of back roads and hills offering one spectacular view after another of Cable Beach, the surrounding sea waters, and beautiful rocky cliffs, several of which I will share in a subsequent post.
One of the most fascinating parts of our tour was when we traveled off road on a red sandy path to Gantheaume Point, a coastal area of Broome with stunning red cliffs, panoramic ocean views, and even dinosaur prints! The intricate layers of sediment in every possible color of red, orange, yellow, and white were mesmerizing and especially striking against the bright blue ocean waters beyond.
Yogi pointed out several massive dinosaur prints in the red rock surface, huge oval depressions that I wouldn’t have identified on my own. He also selected rocks in white, yellow, and orange and showed me how the indigenous people in this area create a fine powder from them to make spectacular rock art. Apparently they mix the powder with water and charcoal to create many brilliant hues.
Although I wasn’t allowed to drive the trike due to lack of insurance coverage, Yogi indulged me by letting me pose on the massive beast both on the cliffs above the ocean and down on the beach itself. It took all kinds of will power on my part not to just take off, especially since Yogi had already explained how all the hand and foot levers work. Maybe next time!
